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August 20, 2016

Answering the 40 Random Beauty Questions Tag

It might seem a touch ironic, given the fact that makeup has a tendency to drip, drop and downright vanish from our faces during the hottest months of the year, but it is, rather interestingly, during the summer when I most often feel like experimenting with my makeup.

Part of me wonders if this harkens back, at least to a degree, to when I was a very young grade school girl and was allowed to wear nail polish during the summer, but not (to class at least) during the school year. Perhaps it's also due to the fact that we're wearing less clothing during these sizzling hot months, so we may want to enliven our looks with the extra dimension that cosmetics can impart. Or maybe it's just that summer is massively fun and so are most beauty products! :)

Whatever the case, I really do find myself reaching for vivid shadows, popsicle hued polishes, and firework worthy shades of make-up more often during the summer. As such, I thought that - on this gorgeous Friday morning, while the season is still going strong - I'd take a moment and share my answers to a fun make-up and skin care related tag that's been floating around the web (particularly on YouTube) for a few years now.

Called The 40 Random Beauty Questions Tag, this quick and easy questionnaire is just that and is a fun way to get to know anyone's "war paint" (I've always loved that term in relation to makeup) routine better.

I periodically receive questions on mine (which is, fundamentally, quite lowkey), so that's all the more reason why I'm keen to tackle these forty questions. I've kept my answers light and airy, like a great loose powder, and hope you'll enjoy getting to know more about these elements of my life.

SKINCARE

1. How many times do you wash your face daily? Generally speaking, twice (once in the morning and once at night when I take off my makeup).

2. What skin type do you have? My skin is, and has always been, very dry and immensely sensitive.

3. What is your current facial wash? I'm super old school here and often just use Dove's Sensitive Skin Bar.

4. Do you exfoliate? Yes, either with a mild homemade sugar scrub or with an apricot one geared towards sensitive skin.

5. What brand do you use? St. Ives or the in-house brand from Real Canadian Superstore, as they have a near identical apricot scrub for about 2/3rds of the price of St. Ives.

6. What moisturizer do you use? Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer. I've tried many others, at a wide range of price points over the years, and absolutely nothing to date has worked more effectively for me.

7. Do you have freckles? No, and I've always sincerely wished that I did (how gorgeous are Joan Crawford's in the photo above?). I know that there are products such as freckle pencils and even freckle tattoos on the market these days, but they've never appealed to me. If nature didn't see fit to give me freckles, I'll respect that decision and leave my skin dot-less.

8. Do you use eye cream? No, but I will use chilled cucumber slices sometimes, if they're on the puffy/red side. Good quality eye cream is an expense that I’ve never felt I could justify, but I would like to give one a shot at some point – if only for the luxurious fun of it.

9.Do you, or did you previously have, acne prone skin? I'm very fortunate that to date, acne has never been a problem for me.

10. Have you ever needed to use Pro-activ? No, but if I needed, I'd certainly give it a shot. I've known some people over the years for whom it literally changed their life thanks to the degree to which it transformed their skin (but to be fair, have heard a few horror stories, too).

MAKE-UP

11. What foundation do you use? I'm not uber loyal to any one foundation, but for the last few years, I've mostly been using CovergGirl Clean Make Up Sensitive Skin. It's very budget-friendly and works just as well, if not better, than some other foundations I've tried that cost four or five times as much.

12. How about concealer? This year I've mostly been using ones from Joe Fresh and Physicians Formula. I honestly don't use a lot of concealer though, and tend to just dab it on under my eyes to help with any redness there or to aid in covering up small blemishes, as they arise.

13. Do you know your skin's colour tone? I'm fair with subtly warm pink undertones. I like to affectionately refer to my skin tone as "strawberries and cream".

14. What do you think of fake eyelashes? Love them to bits, though don't wear them that often. I really should though, as I adore how awake they can help you look!

15. Did you know that you are suppose to change your mascara every 3 months? Yes, I've heard and read this many times over the years. I find that a tube of mascara usually lasts me 2 - 3 months, so that point is usually taken care of organically for me.

16. What brand of mascara do you use? Maybelline's wildly iconic (and incredibly effective) Great Lash. I’ve tried many others over the years, and none, absolutely none, have been able to even hold a candle to it for me personally.

17. MAC or Sephora? MAC, but to be fair, I've never purchased anything for myself from Sephora (though I have done so a gifts for others, including my little sister), so I can't really compare the two...yet.

18. What makeup tools do you use in make up application? An array of brushes (mostly MAC, Quo, and Clinique, but I have other brushes from various brands as well), a blender sponge, and my fingers.

19. Do you think you look good even when you’re not wearing makeup? Definitely! Though I strongly prefer how I look with makeup on, I don't feel that such defines my beauty in any meaningful way and truly hope that the same rings true for all of you and your perceptions of yourself, too.

20. Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes? Typically not. I don't find that I need it with most of the types of (powder) shadows that I use. Plus the fact that my skin is very dry to help makeup in general stay put.

21. For the face? Yes, for sure, especially in the winter months when my skin gets uber dry and I find that it helps my complexion to look less parched.

22. What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)? Hard call! I really adore shades in the plum/purple family, as well as aqua/turquoise, but most commonly wear bronzes/golds, creams, and pale pinks, all of which I love, too.

23. Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner? Both, but primarily (black) liquid liner.

24. How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil? Thankfully, almost never (every now and then I do accidentally jab my eye with a mascara wand though).

25. What do you think of pigment eyeshadows? I think they're gorgeous, but I don't have a ton of experience with them, especially loose pigment powders.

26. Do you use mineral makeup? I do indeed. I find that my dry, sensitive skin tends to respond wonderfully to most mineral makeups and usually have at least a few such products in my cosmetics bag at any one point in time.

28. How about lip gloss? I don't wear that many lip glosses, in part because it can often be hard to find gluten-free ones that don't break the bank. I'd say that in recent years my faves have come from Red Apple Lipstick and Annabelle Cosmetics.

29. What is your favorite blush to use? Again, I’m not super loyal to any one blush and in general just like those with subtle rose/light pink tones. Clinique and ColourPop both make some that I’ve really enjoyed over the years.

30. Do you buy makeup on eBay? Once in a blue moon. Chiefly for products that simply aren't sold in Canada, be it online or off.

31. Do you like drugstore makeup? Absolutely! A very decent percentage of my makeup comes from drugstores and big box stores.

32. Do you go to CCOs(Cosmetic company outlets)? No, but only because (other than Sally's and Chatters, the latter of which is more hair centered) we don't have any beauty supply shops in my town. If we did, I'm sure they'd be regular haunts for me.

33. Have you ever considered taking make-up classes? I adore the idea of such, but have never taken a makeup class. Who knows, maybe one day!

34. Are you clumsy in putting on makeup? Typically, no, especially after so many years of wearing the same general "face" most days and thus having applied the products that I use literally thousands of different times.

35. Name a "makeup crime" that you hate? I'm not a hater. To each their own in all areas of appearance. Though, personally, I can't stand looking down at chipped nail polish, so as soon it starts to flake, I try to get it all of pronto.

36. Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick, eyeshadow, etc) or neutral ones? A blend of both honestly. I tend to wear neutrals on my eyes and vivid hues on my lips (and nails).

37. Which celebrity do you think always has great makeup? Sophia Loren. No matter the decade, her makeup has always been stunning in my books.

38. If you had to leave the house having used just ONE make up item, what would you pick? I know, I know, "use" is even in bold here, but for me, I'd have to select two things: eyebrow pencil (as I have almost no natural eyebrows and the few hairs that do exist there are super pale blonde) and mascara. If I have those two things on, my face rarely feels naked.

39. Are you able to leave the house without any makeup on? For sure! It might not be my ideal, but I can certainly do so and have found that leaving the house sans makeup has gotten a lot easier as I've grown older.

40. In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line? This is wildly subjective and just about impossible to define. I personally love, love, love just about anything I've tried from MAC, Clinique, Estee Lauder, ColourPop, Cover Girl, Maybelline, NYX Cosmetics, Joe Fresh, Physicians Formula, Annabelle Cosmetics, and Benefit, but there are so many amazing brands out there at all sorts of price points, so for me, there isn't one "best" brand, just numerous favourites.

{To learn more about a specific image used in today's post, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}

♥ ♥ ♥

I wasn't tagged by anyone in particular to answer these questions, instead I caught wind of them a while back on YouTube. Thus, I'm not going to tag anyone specially, but if you'd like to play along, too, by all means, please do (and then feel free to come back here and comment with a link to your own post so that I can be sure to check it out).

And by the same token, if you have any questions for me about what I’ve said here or would like to see more posts about my beauty routine/favourites, please don’t hesitate to left me know.

Lowkey though my beauty routine may be (by which I mean, I tend to use the same very select group of products, I don't usually shell out for expensive beauty treatments or skin care products, and I typically wear the same general mid-century style "face" most days), I - like countless others around the globe - am wild about cosmetics and get giddy whenever I try out a new brand, score a limited edition product, or rediscover an old favourite.

So while I might get more adventurous with my makeup choices during the summer, I really do adore beauty products and the act of getting ready the whole year 'round. How about you?

46 comments:

Hooray for Great Lash Mascara! Still the best. I wish the little kit in the vintage ad was still available. I too am quite fond of drugstore makeup and do enjoy a few department store brands as well. Do you use pressed powder? If so what brand? Your complexion always looks lovely. Another fabulous post my dear!

Thank you very much for your lovely comment, my fellow Great Lash fan (it really is my favourite mascara of all time, hands down).

That's really sweet of you to say. Thank you! If my budget permits, I'll splash out for Clinique or MAC powder, but most of the time, for many years now, I've been a devoted fan of Trueblend Pressed Powder from Covergirl (specially, I use the shade Translucent Fair 1). It has never troubled my sensitive skin and is quite easy to find, so as I'd imagine I'll keep using it for years to come.

Loved your answers! I am personally not very adventurous at all when it comes to makeup. I guess the most adventurous thing I've used are false lashes that I tried a month ago for the first time, and wow. I love them too! Although I think I'll save them for special occasions!The boldest way I go is with red lippies, and that's sort of my favourite look too, neutral on the eyes, maybe a nice cat eye, and then red lips.Sofia Loren does always look quite amazing.Hope you have a great weekend!Much love,Mona

That's my favourite "face", too (on myself at least). It's hard to beat the classic beauty of a red lip, smooth complexion, and neutral eye with some liner and/or mascara. Even if I didn't wear vintage clothing, I highly suspect I'd rock a similar makeup look all the same.

How exciting that you gave false eyelashes a spin for the first time recently. I really, really like them, but don't wear them often myself. I'd like to get into doing so more as time goes on.

Thank you for your fabulous comment, my dear. I hope that all is well on your end this month and that you're enjoying a sunny, terrific tail end of August.

What a fun questionnaire! I might save this for a future video. I loved reading your answers to all of the questions. Also, I agree about freckles; I've always wanted more (I have a few light ones) but ah well. I just enjoy them when summer comes around!

It's awesome that you have a few freckles. While I'm the first to admit that I'm often drawn to things that the majority of folks don't per se find desirable, it has always floored me that freckles aren't universally adored. They're so sweet, pretty and unique (in terms of the pattern that each person who has them possess). Three cheers for us freckle fans and those lucky folks whose faces are splashed out in these beautiful little dots.

Thank you, sweet Kate. While I don't profess to be a beauty guru of the YouTube ilk for one red second, I have enjoyed playing around with shadows for as far back as I've been wearing makeup, so if there's ever anything in particular I might be able to assist you with on that front, please don't hesitate to ask.

It's awesome that you're a fan of both those products, too. I just adore Red Apple Lipstick's offerings and truly grateful that such a great line of dedicated GF makeup exists. And, of course, you can never go wrong with Russian Red. It's the Olympic gold of red lippies in my books. :)

You sooo should! I'd recommend snapping it up at Superstore or Walmart, as those are usually the two sources here in Canada with the best prices on it. Occasionally one of them will put it on sale and I've still be able to snap it up for under $4.00 once in a while when that happens. Such an amazing deal on a truly great mascara. Even when its not on sale, it's still under $7.00 at both those stores here, so a very reasonable price all the same. I really hope you adore it, too, if you give this classic mascara a spin.

MAC is my favourite makeup brand, too (well, okay, it might tie with Clinique for top billing, but it's in first place either way :)). I'll never forget the first time I tried MAC. Tony bought me several of their products quite a few years ago now for one of my birthdays and it was like a chorus of heavenly angels started singing as I began using it. Night and day over most other brands I'd tried up until that point and I knew instantly that I'd be a devoted fan. :)

I did not know that freckle pencils or tattoos existed! How interesting?! I've always had a sprinkling of random freckles and moles, just seems normal to me, although I have noticed now that I take care of Chinese children, who generally don't have freckles or many moles, I get a lot of questions about the "polka-dots" on my skin. haha!

to be honest, I don't try a lot of makeup looks in the summer, just the basics! humidity and heat really gets to my oily face and if I venture out in the evenings, then I have to wash and reapply.but fall and cooler weather is coming!!!!and these makeup tags never get old, I learn so much from them!

Same here! I love makeup and enjoy playing around with it anytime, but don't profess to be a super expert or to know all the brands around in the slightest. I've learned a lot from seeing fellow bloggers and YouTubers answer this tag, too, and really hope that it continues to make the rounds for a long time to come.

Big hugs & happy wishes for these last few days of the month,♥ Jessica

It's interesting that we have the exact opposite skin types! Mine is so oily everything slides off my face without serious attention. Which also means I've been plagued with mild forms of acne my whole teen and adult life. I therefore don't like my face at all without makeup as I can't see past the blemishes, but I will now, at least, leave the house without makeup! I'm always envious of anyone who on a day-to-day basis is confident enough not to apply as many products as I do. Ho hum, at least makeup exists! xx

Thank the universe that makeup exists! I certainly believe that it's a matter of to each their own in terms of if one wants to rock it or not, but gosh, am I grateful that it was invented and that I can personally take advantage of it.

I'm sorry that you've had to deal with skin issues throughout your life, my sweet friend.

Your makeup always looks gorgeous and so I adore that you're a huge fan of sporting a bold red lip, too.

What an interesting read, Jessica! I rarely leave the house without any make-up, even if sometimes I'm not in full "war paint". I like to experiment a bit and I cannot resist trying out new products. I tend to go for cheaper brands, though. I'm loving the make-up ads in your post, they just don't do them like that anymore! Many hugs, Ann xxx

Same here on all counts. I love higher end makeup, but rarely have the budget for it either (objectively, I'll usually buy clothing before I splash out on pricey makeup and skin care items). There are so many good, reliable drugstore and middle ground (price wise) options out there these days that one can easily get by with little to no department store makeup.

It's so much fun to play around with new products or ones you haven't used in a while. I've really been into aqua shadows and liners this summer. Something that I haven't dabbled with much in years. I want to pick up a navy or cobalt blue mascara now, too. I used to wear it a ton as a teenager, but haven't rocked it in ages. I think it would work well for fall, so shall likely be going hunting for one as the seasons start to change more soon.

i adore you for being able to leave the house without makeup!! <3and of cause for your answer at question 19.!!!and as you say - every woman should feel like this. we are beautiful - just how mother nature made us - makeup should be fun and play - not a obligation.big hugs - my beautiful friend! xxxxxxx

Great post and loved all these vintage beauty images as well. Proactive had such a giant following back when I was in middle school/high school and there tv adverts for it everywhere! I totally drank the kool aid and used it as well although I honestly do not know if it really did any wonders for my skin.

Hi Rae, thank you for your comment. It's interesting that Proactive had such a following at your school. It wasn't overly common yet here in Canada when I was in high school (end of the 90s/early 2000s), but I know that it was starting to hit more a stride by the time my sister and her friends (my sis is six years younger than me) were a few years after that point. While it may not have done a ton to help, at least it didn't do more harm than good for you. There are some definite Proactive horror stories out there.

It was interesting reading this. I'm not much of a makeup person. I grew up kind of a tomboy and didn't have anyone around in my house that wore makeup to influence or teach me how to apply makeup. When I was in high school I usually didn't wear makeup at all. In college, I did a quick dab with my liquid eyeliner and called it a day. As time goes on I've been more interested in makeup. I now use Besame foundation powder, their cream rouge, and eyeliner in addition to my usual liquid eyeliner when leaving the house on the weekend. Reading this post though has me realize how much there is out there and kind of makes me want to try a makeup class!

Ooohh, how luxuriously lovely! I've wanted to try Besame offerings for years now. I really must remember to invest some Xmas or birthday money in their elegant offerings one of these days. They always look fantastic on other vintage gals and you can't beat the old school packaging.

Thank you very much for your absolutely lovely comment. It's really touching to hear that this post has helped inspire you to explore the exciting world of cosmetics further.

Great questions. Great answers and fun photos. Love all the old beauty adds. I took up your challenge, but tweaked it a little for my blog. I couldn't do 40 questions, and I wanted to tailor it to my readers, so...I did 25 Random Swing Dance Questions. Hee hee hee! http://wp.me/p3czXo-18o

Of course, I gave a nod to you as well! Anyone dance as well as do vintage? Check it out!

That is thoroughly awesome, Tam!!! I'm delighted to have helped inspire the birth of a brand new tag. Thank you so much for the wonderfully lovely things you said about me in your post. I second what you wrote here - if other swing dancers are reading this, pop on over and play along with Tam's tag. It's such a gem!

Same here - almost more so, I'd say. YouTube rocks, but I just adore reading a person's take on things, too.

Thank you, honey. I definitely want to make more videos. In order to film them, I need for my health to be in the best of the best possible spot that it can be - and then to have ample free time on the day I want to shoot a video. Unfortunately, its very rare for those things to both happen at the same time. So hence my wildly sporadic YouTube posting. It might be months or even years between videos, but I have no plans at present to toss in the towel for good, so you just never know when a new video might come down the pipeline. :)

Whoa.. Jessica!I love this sort of lists.Let me just... "If you had to leave the house having used just ONE make up item, what would you pick?" - EYEBROW PENCIL, for me, too. :)Mascara, alas, is not something I can use - due to some eye issues. Lips can go with no color on them. But BROWS - oh, they are the frame to our faces. Everything seem to fall into place once the brows are done in a proper way. (such a small and fast thing to do, yet a massive improvement on one's look - I say that's great)

It's really cool that eyebrow pencil is an absolute must for you as well. Those with full, healthy brows who don't have to worry about this point are so lucky. I'm really sorry that you're not able to wear mascara, sweet dear. Have you tried some of the organic/all natural versions out there? I realize though that, depending on what the issue you that you're contending with, it's possible that there may be no safe mascaras for you. I would gather then that if mascara is out, so are false lashes? If not, perhaps they could create a similar look for you without the use of actual mascara itself.

What a perfectly mid-century approved makeup routine, honey. Tons of ladies, especially during the years of WW2, would feel completely at home with that same classic trio of products. How exciting that you're starting to get into makeup. It's such a fun, exciting part of the fashion + beauty spectrum and one that can certainly help our vintage looks to capture a yesteryear feel all the more.

I loved reading this, it makes me realise, a) how lazy I am with make-up and b) that I literally know nothing about new trends! I have a very simple routine and have stuck to it many, many years. However, I will never, ever go out of the house without the bare minimum on. I have very dark circles under my eyes due to a lifelong health condition which I absolutely loathe and am totally paranoid about, so no one ever sees me without concealer and powder. xx

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a tried and true makeup routine. I tend to stick to the same general one more often than not myself, too - and all the more so as I've gotten older. That said, I am feeling more playful with cosmetics again this year. I've been reaching for aqua eye shadows this summer and am planning to pick up some navy or cobalt blue mascara again in the near future. I haven't had a tube of such in, gosh, probably 14+ years. I used to really enjoy it and am eager to see what I think of it on me now that I'm in 30s.

I'm very sorry that you have to battle constant dark circles (and the underlying condition that is responsible for such). Thank you for sharing that intimate fact about yourself with me/us here, dear Cate. Please know that you are thoroughly beautiful inside and out.

Interesting set of questions and answers. I usually stick to the same and have stuck to it for years ! The same colors, the same techniques.I pumped up my game about 10 years ago when I began using different and more upscale brands and even including brushes and creams.

Thank you very much, my lovely friend. I tend to be fiercely loyal to makeup and beauty products, too. When I find something that my dry, sensitive skin can use, so long its effective, I'll often use it for decades.

How exciting that you ramped up your beauty game a few years ago. I adore applying makeup with brushes. I do use my fingers (and sponges) for some things, but brushes just feel so lovely on your skin and can be great for precision work.

I never used to wear makeup up until a couple of years ago, but now I find it really fun to wear. I don't wear it everyday, but when I do, I love to do a bold winged cateye and eyeshadow. This is a really fun tag- thanks for sharing your answers, and I might participate on my blog too. The Artyologist

Cat eye liner is the absolute best! I'm as good as certain that (just for the sake of argument) even if I didn't wear vintage fashions, I'd still rock cat eye liner at sometimes. I love it to bits and really like how it helps to define my peepers.

I'd be thrilled to read your answers, if you give this fun spin a tag. I'm happy that it's one that keeps resurfacing on both blogs and YouTube, and hope that more folks in the vintage world opt to answer it as well.

Of course I loved this post! It's so interesting to me to hear about other people's beauty routines and the products they use! Of course you know how into it I am myself, haha. It's great you've found the right products that work for you in a lot of respects, but still haven't lost the excitement and joy that comes with trying out something new. :) Also Russian Red is one of my favourites too - it's such a perfect blood red shade and it's not as dry as some of MAC's other matte lipsticks are.

Hand on my heart, I was thinking about you sooo much when penning this fun tag post. Have you answered it before yourself, too? If not, please consider yourself officially tagged by me to do so, if you're interested, sweet dear.

Russian Red for the win forever and always. The first time I put it on my lips, I felt like a chorus of celestial angels has started singing. I had finally, at long, long last, found my perfect red lipstick. Fingers crossed it never goes out of production!

I love posts like this one. And I ADORE makeup, as you already know. I think it is because I love colours so much, but also because I am a pale Scandinavian who would look like a Brie (the cheese) without makeup. I always choose by colour, not by brand, and don't have a favourite brand either. All of them make something fantastic. I've just bought a red lippy (my favourite one was discountinued, so this one is a new favourite so I have to stock up in the fridge, ha) and the remake of Starry Starry Night nail polish from Essie. So damn beautiful! In fact so beautiful that people paid over 100 USD at eBay to get it. I didn't! So now I am very close to 300 different nail polish shades, oh dear. Have a lovely holiday, sweetie. :)

Thank you very much for your wonderfully nice comment, my fellow cosmetics adoring friend. I'm sorry to hear that your favourite red lipstick was discontinued. Grrrr! That is always so frustrating. I can think of few other areas of consumer goods that discontinue items more frequently than the makeup/beauty product world. I hope that the one you're trying as a replacement works just as nicely for you.

I hadn't caught word of Essie releasing a new take on Starry Starry Night. How exciting! I wasn't able to catch it the first time around, but will be keeping my eyes peeled for it now. Though we live in a small town, multiple stores carrying some of Essie's offerings, with one drug store having a particularly good selection, so I'll check there first. Thanks so much for the head's up!

That is an amazing number of nail polishes to have. Way to go on your fabulous collection.

Tons of hugs & happy tail end of summer wishes,♥ Jessica

*PS* We got home from our trip to Edmonton last night, so - with lots of unpacking and a bit of recouping swirled into the mix - it's back to life as usual on all fronts from today onward.

I'm Jessica, a lifelong lover of all things antique and vintage, especially those from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

This blog is my visual scrapbook in which I record and share my thoughts on the multitude of sources, people and products that inspire and feed a modern gal's addiction to the past. I also post about the vintage clothes, hairstyles and make-up looks that I adore wearing.

Stay a spell and have a blast as we explore the incomparably fantastic world of vintage history and fashion together.

All images used on this site are credited to their original posters/creators/sources,
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PS...I just wanted to say thank you very much for visiting and to tell you that you're equal parts awesome and beautiful.